Protein complexes in the gas phase: Technology for structural genomics and proteomics

A review on the application of mass spectrometry (MS) to the upper levels of protein organization is presented. A description on the processes of generating, transmitting, and analyzing ions formed by protein complexes is presented as well as the experimental conditions theory that are the standards for the investigations. In addition, some other approaches are included that can be used in conjunction with MS of intact complexes. This review aims to establish MS of intact complexes as part of future structural genomic and proteomic investigations. Several other topics discussed include the generation of ions of protein complexes, the transmission and analysis of ions o protein complexes, the activation and dissociation of protein complexes, and lastly, the companion technologies for MS of protein complexes.